To commemorate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has traditionally led a group from all over Ohio on a march from city council to Veterans Memorial. This kicks of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service for our AmeriCorps members. Each year the mayor’s office asks the wonderful American Red Cross AmeriCorps members to greet and serve hot coffee, hot chocolate and cookies to marchers before they embark on what is often a cheery but cold and snowy journey. This This year it was a balmy 40 degrees so thankfully, the snow had melted. As always it was a festive occasion, rife with enthusiasm and chatter from the marchers as well as live music from a local musician.
I was particularly struck this year by the diverse groups of people involved and the number of youth participating in the march. In attendance were school-aged children, entire families, the Columbus State basketball team and members of the OSU Iota and Q fraternities. Before they set out, there was a call to support efforts toward the Haitian earthquake relief fund and many responded with dollars from their pockets and purses. Afterward, the remaining cookies were donated to a local food pantry.
It was a wonderful experience and fantastic day of service!
Thanks to Lynne Wise, American Red Cross AmeriCorps Coordinator for this post.
Columbus is notoriously known for being the home of the Buckeyes, but what many fail to realize is that we also play host to many brutal winters. With the snowfalls, and temperatures barely rising above freezing, it is imperative that you check the condition of the water pipes in your home. A quick check could be the difference between free flowing water, and frozen pipes. Pipes most prone to freezing are those that are exposed to severe cold. Outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines and water supply lines in unheated interior areas also run the risk of freezing.
To prevent your pipes form freezing this winter:
1. Drain all water from outdoor supply lines. Store hoses used outdoors, and be sure to close valves supplying water to outdoor hose bibs.
2. Check around your home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. (basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets.)
3. Keep your garage door closed if there water supply lines in the garage. Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to remove any harmful cleaner and household chemicals out of the reach of children.
4. When weather is very cold outside, let cold water drip from faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe helps prevent pipes from freezing.
5. If you will be going away during the winter months leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
We thought this post would be appropriate today, considering the coming winter storm. We also wanted to provide a link to our winter safety tips and AmeriCorps Kevin’s previous post about safe winter driving. Stay safe out there this weekend!
Thanks to James Lewis, Red Cross Intern, for this post.
I’ve used my time as the Communication and Marketing Intern with the Red Cross to learn, write and share stories of staff, clients and volunteers. I’ve come to know the Community Transportation Program (CTP), Services to Military Families, Disaster Services and Red Cross training—none of which I knew prior to interning here. Before, I was an avid blood donor; the thought of additional services never crossed my mind. One thing I was sure of was the hands-on experience I would get, and I was right.
I served as the on-call media contact should a fire occur in the area. I had the opportunity to notify local media of what the Red Cross was doing for the individuals and families involved. The Red Cross Tiffany Circle invited me to take photos at one of its events. I’m no photographer, but it was nice to be in the presence of women that are doing great things for the community. Anyone interested in interning at the Red Cross should apply. It has definitely been a neat work environment. I can’t thank the staff enough for allowing me to be apart of their team.
Thanks to Jeri Moore, C&M Intern, for this post. We will miss you Jeri!
Below are two video updates from American Red Cross Emergency Response Unit team members on the ground in Haiti. Watch to get a sense of how distribution at camp sites is assessed and carried out.
During this time of the year when many spend extra time with loved ones, I feel compelled to write about my own family’s experience with blood donation. On Jan. 3, 1998, I received a call at work that my mother was in critical condition in a hospital in Florida, where she and my father were vacationing. Apparently, she had gone into septic shock, or a full body infection while on vacation, and four of her five major body systems had shut down. One of those was her circulatory system, which meant she needed, among many procedures, a blood transfusion. I along with many other family members flew to Florida to be at my mother’s side and only later found out that the hospital staff thought she wouldn’t survive long enough for us to see her one last time.
Her need for uninfected blood was so great that we had to rely on dialysis and a blood transfusion to help her get well. The blood was from the bank in the hospital, donated by a kind member of the Florida community. One month later, my mother flew home to Columbus. She made a full recovery, and her health improved because someone volunteered to donate the lifesaving blood she needed. Every time I see posters for a blood drive, I think about my mother, and the people who helped her. I also think about how thankful my family is that The American Red Cross does such an excellent job of processing and organizing blood donations for people who need them quickly. Give blood this year; you never know-the life you may save may be your own family member’s.
The holidays have just passed and as I sit here I am reminded of all the gifts that were exchanged, everything from toasters and toolboxes to cameras and cardigan sweaters. A common misconception is that a gift must be material. I believe that there is a gift more satisfying than any toaster could ever be, the gift of humanity.
It’s the gift that keeps on giving, and what better way to give than by participating in Red Cross initiatives. By volunteering with the American Red Cross, not only will you work with more than six-hundred simply sensational volunteers, you’ll also be affiliated with one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world. The American Red Cross offers many volunteer opportunities. If you like to be in the midst of the action, disaster response may be your calling, or you might prefer to be a member of the Disaster Readiness Team. Whichever you choose, the rewards associated with volunteering are endless.
Although I have only been a volunteer for about a month, I have gained invaluable insight and experience. As a recent graduate of The Ohio State University, I am eager to learn and experience the Red Cross, and I look forward to meeting other volunteers, helping families suffering from disasters and telling the Red Cross story. Become a positive asset to your community by volunteering with the American Red Cross. It is a gift that is sure to be appreciated by many.
Thanks to James Lewis, Communication and Marketing Intern, for this post.
In just the first week of the Haiti response effort, the American Red Cross already has spent or committed $34 million (approximately 25 percent of what has been pledged or received) as of Thursday, January 21.
We’ve committed and spent funds in three basic areas:
food and water
relief supplies
logistical and support services
50 % of what has been committed or spent is being used to bring food and water to earthquake survivors. The American Red Cross is providing more 3 million pre-packaged meals, more than 1 million water purification packets and thousands of jerry cans so people can collect and transport clean drinking water.
30 % of what has been committed or spent so far is purchasing and distributing relief supplies. This includes items such as blanket, tarps, soap, hygiene supplies, kitchen sets and first aid supplies.
20 % of what has been committed or spent is providing the logistical support and other items needed to keep the relief effort running. This includes the purchase of vehicles to deliver relief supplies, warehouse space, gasoline, transportation costs and the deployment of our relief specialists. This category also includes the costs associated with the training and deployment of nearly 70 Creole speaking volunteers to the USNS Comfort.
This is only the beginning of the American Red Cross relief and recovery effort for Haiti.
I’ve been at the “Columbus Hope for Haiti” fundraiser since 6AM; what an “affirming” experience! Things are tough here at home, but there’s been a steady stream of people driving through the donation lines and by 3PM, we’d accepted over $85,000. Wonder what the total will be when we finish at 7PM? (Columbus Hope for Haiti is a cooperative venture between the City of Columbus and most of the local TV, radio, and print media, and the ARC. Everyone forgot about competing for a day to pitch in for Haiti!) The reports we’re getting suggest that the relief program is becoming more effective every day. The ARC is working with other charities and government organizations providing more 3 million pre-packaged meals, more than 1 million water purification packets and thousands of jerry cans so people can collect and transport clean drinking water. We’re also distributing blankets, tarps, soap, hygiene supplies, kitchen sets and first aid supplies. And we’ll be in Haiti for a long time … moving from the emergency to the recovery phase as soon as possible. Check out www.redcross.org if you’d like additional details about how the Red Cross will spend donations. I know we’ll do a good job. -Michael Carroll
To commemorate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman has traditionally led a group from all over Ohio on a march from city council to Veterans Memorial. This kicks of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service for our AmeriCorps members. Each year the mayor’s office asks the wonderful American Red Cross AmeriCorps members to greet and serve hot coffee, hot chocolate and cookies to marchers before they embark on what is often a cheery but cold and snowy journey. This This year it was a balmy 40 degrees so thankfully, the snow had melted. As always it was a festive occasion, rife with enthusiasm and chatter from the marchers as well as live music from a local musician.
Michael Carroll, CEO/Big Kahuna
Lynn C, Comm. & Marketing Boss
Scott, Aquatics & Training Guru
Stacie, Health & Safety Instructor
Lynn HG, Blogger Extraordinaire
Dee Dee, CTP Volunteer Driver
Jeff, Master Disaster Team Leader
Kevin, AmeriCorps Rockstar
Cricket, Doggie Blogger
